The Pediatrics/Maternity Ward at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital got a bit more colourful thanks to a new mural. Students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School unveiled a new art mural created to represent the literary work of Debra Frasier in her book titled "On the Day You Were Born." Since 2016, the Kenora Catholic District School Board has gifted hundreds of copies of the book along with dream-catchers hand-made by students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The gifts are given to families to celebrate the birth of a new baby.
Tammy Bush, Early Years Lead and Vice Principal at Pope John Paul II School talked about the project.
"We are excited that this day is here and we can see the mural displayed on the wall. We started the baby book project in partnership with the Lake of the Woods District Hospital to commemorate the occasion of the birth of a baby. The book is a keepsake item for new families and the mural is a connection to the book. There is nothing more magical than the birth of a new baby and now the mural is an opportunity for families to take a picture to capture their baby's special day."
A group of students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School that worked on the mural were at the hospital to unveil the art work. "The concept of the mural came from the last page of the book," says Grade 10 student Jesse McIsaac. "There is a lot of detail in the mural and it's a colorful piece. It was a great experience to be part of this project."
Grace Protopapas-Dunford and 1-month-old daughter Caroline were at the unveiling. Grace talks about receiving a copy of the book. "When you are home alone with a new baby it can be a little bit lonely. When you receive your gift from the KCDSB of the book and the dream-catcher, you feel connected to the community and you feel welcomed."
"We welcomed this mural with open arms," explained Sheri Grafham, Unit Manager for the Pediatrics/Maternity Ward. "It's beautiful and we've had compliments not only from the pediatrics patients but also from adult patients walking the halls. The mural is colorful and it has brightened up the hallway. The families also enjoy the book. It's the first book for their new baby and it's a nice memory for families."
The book, "On the Day You Were Born" celebrates the reverence of new life and the sheer miracle of human existence through imagery and the natural order of the world.
The Kenora Catholic District School Board is privileged to provide a welcoming gift to new babies and their families through the partnership with the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.
 |
 |
|
Thank you to Grace and Caroline for being part of the mural unveiling.
|
Teacher, George Brunton and a group of students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School's mural class created the commemorative mural.
|
 |
 |
|
The mural is a rendition of a page out of the book "On the Day You Were Born."
|
Since 2016 the Kenora Catholic District School Board has gifted hundreds of copies of the book to families celebrating the birth of a new baby. The book is given to families at the hospital and they also get a dream-catcher hand-made by students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
|